Thursday, August 01, 2013

#IPAday Domination

I like American IPA's, but it amazes me a little bit how they have somehow become so pervasive in the craft beer landscape. Sometimes it feels like public perception is that IPA is the only craft beer style out there. There are so many great beer styles out there, but somehow the IPA gets the most attention.

Case in point ... my list ... Zymurgy's 2013 Best Beers in America. I can't think of a more quintessential group of beer geeks than Zymurgy's readers, and you would think that the 50 best beer list would be representative of all beer styles.

You would be wrong, though.

All 5 of the top 5 on the list are IPA's, and over half are IPA's, double IPA's, or imperial IPA's.

If that is not enough, there are several others that are very IPA-like such as Black IPA's or very hoppy pale ales.

Yes, craft beer geeks love their hops. I love my hops. Perhaps I am part of the problem. Perhaps it isn't a problem at all.

Like I already said, though, it sure seems like some other beer styles deserve some love. Seems to me that there should be more balance.

However, today is #IPADay, and any one of these beers would be a great way to celebrate:

Like last year, I have actually scheduled blog posts to publish
throughout the day. Don't judge me. At least I'm not doing this at work.
You can see all I have written or will write about #IPADay at: http://blog.ericshepard.com/search/label/%23IPADay